Lubrication pump

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for delivering a lubricating oil into a lower unit housing through a hole in the housing, the apparatus comprising an oil container having a neck portion and a main body. The main body defined by a main body wall for containing the lubricating oil. The main body wall being sufficiently thick to withstand pressure of up to 30 pounds per square inch. A pumping mechanism is attached to the oil container, the pumping mechanism comprising a pumping component comprising a plunger housing and an air moving plunger movable within the plunger housing, and an outer sleeve positioned within the container. The plunger housing is positioned within the outer sleeve, the plunger housing having an air valve disposed at a distal end thereof for expelling air into the outer sleeve, the air being moved by the plunger. The outer sleeve includes at least one air hole positioned above an oil level in the container such that when the air is expelled through the air valve, the air enters the container above the oil level. An oil delivery mechanism comprising a flexible hose attached to an outlet of the container, the outlet positioned proximate a bottom of the container and a hand operable nozzle attached to the hose at another end, the nozzle comprising a frusto-conical tip for engaging the hole of the lower unit housing.

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/418,644, filed Dec. 1, 2010, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a device that delivers lubricant into the lower unit of a boat motor.

In an inboard/outboard (I/O) marine propulsion system, the engine is located inboard just forward of the stern of the boat. The engine provides power to a drive unit located outside the hull of the boat. The drive shaft connects the lower unit to the engine through the transom and transmits power to the propeller through a gearbox. The gearbox is located within a housing that is submerged below the waterline and is generally referred to as the lower unit. There are many advantages of having an I/O drive on a boat. However, I/O drives are more complicated to maintain than for example outboard motors. One complication is an oil change. Oil is needed in order to lubricate the gearbox within the lower unit.

Filling the lower unit with lubricant can be a messy and time-consuming process. Typically, the lower unit has two plugged holes: a bottom drain hole and a top vent hole. To replace the lubricant in the lower unit, the top vent hole is first opened. The bottom drain hole is then unplugged, thereby allowing lubricant to drain from the tank. New lubricant is then filled through the lower hole of the lower unit.

Prior art methods of refilling the lubricant have included the use of a small hand push pump, the use of multiple squeeze tubes, or the use of a commercial pump at a boat dealership or repair shop.

One prior art method includes using a small hand push pump that is disposed in a lubricant container to refill the lower unit with lubricant. However, this method requires constant manual pumping to fill the lower unit. In some cases, more than three hundred pumps are required to adequately replace the lubricant in the lower unit. Pumping a small hand pump that many times is a physically taxing process. In cases where multiple containers of lubricant are used to supply enough lubricant to replace the previous existing quantity in the lower unit, the user of the pump has to remove the pump from the empty container of lubricant and install the pump into a new container. Such switching of pump from container to container can be very messy because lubricant can drip out of the bottom hole of the lower unit as the pump is removed and placed into a new container.

Using squeeze tubes to replace lubricant requires the user to insert the end of the squeeze tube into the lower unit and manually squeeze the lubricant out of the tube. Like the previously described prior art method of using a hand push pump, the prior art method of squeezing tubes is also a physically taxing process and entails a messy and time-consuming process of removing the empty tube and inserting one or more additional lubricant tubes in order to finish the lubricant replacement process.

Lastly, the use of large commercial pumps that are available in boat repair shops and some dealerships are costly and require a boat owner to transport the boat to the boat shop or dealership to change the lubricant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure describes an apparatus for delivering a lubricating oil through a hole in a lower unit housing into the lower unit of an I/O drive. The apparatus comprises an oil container having a neck portion and a main body. The main body is defined by a main body wall that contains the lubricating oil, the main body wall having sufficient integrity to withstand a pressure of up to 30 pounds per square inch. A pumping mechanism is attached to the oil container, the pumping mechanism comprising a pumping component that includes a plunger housing and an air moving plunger movable within the plunger housing, and an outer sleeve positioned within the container. The plunger housing is positioned within the outer sleeve. The plunger housing has an air valve disposed at a distal end thereof for expelling air into the outer sleeve, the air being moved by the plunger. The outer sleeve includes at least one air hole positioned above an oil level in the container such that when the air is expelled through the air valve, the air enters the container above the oil level. An oil delivery mechanism comprising a flexible hose is attached to the container at an outlet positioned proximate the bottom of the container. A hand operable nozzle is attached to the hose at another end, the nozzle comprising a frusto-conical tip for engaging the hole of the lower unit housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pump system according to this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pump component.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pump plunger taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the handle of the pump in an unlocked position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

A hand operated pump system is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The pump system 10 includes an oil container 12 that is generally cylindrical in configuration but could be of any shape or size. An important feature of the oil container 12 is that it is sufficiently large to hold enough oil to refill a lower unit of an I/O of a boat.

It is important that the oil is not entrenched with air when placed into the lower unit. The air that is used to pressurize the container should not be mixed with the oil. The operating pump system 10 of this disclosure is designed to avoid mixing the air when pressurizing the container or when filling the lower unit with oil.

The oil container 12 has a wall 14 made of a suitable polymer and can be made by any suitable plastic molding process. The wall 14 of the oil container 12 is of sufficient integrity to be able to withstand a pressure of up to at least 30 pounds per square inch. The ability of the container 12 to withstand 30 pounds per square inch of pressure is the result of the type of polymer comprising the wall and the thickness of the wall along with its preferred cylindrical configuration.

The container 12 further includes a threaded neck portion 16. A pump component 20 is threadably secured to the container 12 via the neck portion 16. When the pump component 20 is threadably attached to the oil container 12, the pump 20 can be used to pressurize the interior of the oil container 12.

The pump component 20 includes a handle 22 attached to a plunger 24. The plunger 24 includes a plurality of air delivery compartments 44 disposed along its length. The air compartments are arranged in two rows. Only one row of air compartments 44 is illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates two rows of air compartments 44, with each row of air compartments having openings 46 positioned on opposing sides of the plunger 24. The rows of air compartments extend along the majority of the length of the plunger 24. Preferably, the handle and the plunger are integrally formed in a plastic molding process.

The pump component 20 further includes a cap 26 having a collar section 25 that has a first outer set of internal threads (not shown) for threadably engaging the neck portion 16 of the container 12. A plunger housing 28 is secured to the cap 26, preferably being permanently secured thereto. The plunger housing 28 includes an air valve 30 that is disposed at a distal end 32 of the housing 28. Air is moved through plunger housing by moving the plunger 24 into the housing with air being forced through the valve 30. In the embodiment illustrated, the valve 30 is a flapper valve that permits air to flow out of the housing 28 in the general direction of arrows 34. The flapper valve is a one-way valve that restricts airflow back through the housing 28 opposite the general direction of arrows 34. Once pressure is built up in the container, the flapper valve is seated against the distal end, restricting airflow out of the container thereby maintaining pressure within the container but permitting further air to enter the container 12.

The pump component 20 further includes an outer sleeve 36. During normal operating, the plunger housing 28 is disposed within the outer sleeve 36. The outer sleeve 36 preferably includes a proximal threaded end 38 that engages a second set of threads (not shown) disposed within the cap 26 to secure the outer sleeve to the cap. The second set of threads is disposed inwardly that is within the first set of the threads that engage the neck 16 of the container 12. A pair of outlet air holes 40 are positioned on opposing sides of the outer sleeve 36 and are disposed on the outer sleeve 36 at a proximal end thereof, just below the threads 38.

As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 2, along with illustration in FIG. 1, the air holes 40 are positioned near the top of the container 12 above the oil level in the container. Consequently, when the plunger 24 is pushed up and down in the housing 28 and air is pushed through the air valve 30, the air is not mixed in with the oil. The air flows into the container 12 via the air holes 40. Thereby the container 12 is pressurized without mixing air with the oil.

The pump component 20 further includes a locking mechanism 46, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. The locking mechanism 46 serves to lock the handle 22 and plunger 24 in place. In other words, the plunger 24 is secured and cannot be moved in and out of the plunger housing 28. Locking the plunger and the handle in place serves to secure the handle 22 in a position so that the container 12 can be carried compactly. In addition, locking the plunger and the handle in place retains the pumping system 10 in a compact configuration when infusing oil into the lower unit.

The locking mechanism 46 comprises a rotatable plate 48 that is wider along one axis and narrower along a second axis normal to the first axis. The plate 48 is attached to a handle stem 50 which in turn is attached with the handle 22, plate 48, stem 50 and handle 22 preferably being one integral piece. When the handle 22 is turned in the directions of arrows 52, the plate 48 is also turned. A pair of spaced apart stanchions 53 project upwardly from the cap 26. Each stanchion includes a slot 56. The slot 56 is of a size and shape to frictionally engage the plate 48 when the plate 48 is positioned with its widest dimension between the stanchions. As illustrated in solid lines, the plate 48 is in a nonlocking position that is the narrower part of plate 48 lies between the stanchions 53. When the plate 48 is in a nonlocking position, the handle 22 and plunger are movable in the general direction of arrows 54 and the container may be pressurized. When the handle 22 is turned approximately 90° , the plate 48 is positioned between the stanchions 53 with the widest part of the plate disposed between the stanchions and therefore the outer edges of the plate 48 are within the slots 56 as illustrated with broken lines 49. When the plate engages the slots 56, the handle 22 and the plunger 24 are secured and cannot be moved.

The pump system 10 further includes an oil delivery component 60 as best illustrated in FIG. 1. The oil delivery component 60 includes a flexible hose 62 which at a proximal end 64 is attached to an outlet 63 on the container 12 and at a distal end is attached to an oil delivery nozzle 66. The hose 62 is of sufficient length to facilitate delivery of oil from the container 12 to a lower unit of an I/O.

The outlet 63 is positioned at a lower most level of the container 12. The positioning of the outlet 63 at a lower most position aids in using up all of the oil within the container 12. This avoids refilling the container 12 with oil. In addition, since the oil is a heavy and viscous liquid, positioning the outlet 63 at the lowermost position on the container 12 eliminates the need to pump the oil up, thereby reducing the required pressure in the container 12 for moving the oil out of the container.

The oil delivery nozzle 66 comprises an oil delivery tip 68 and a valve 70. The oil delivery tip 68 includes a frusto-conical surface 72 that is preferably made of a relatively hard rubber. The frusto-conical surface 72 permits the nozzle 66 to engage a variety of sizes of oil inlet/outlet holes 74 that may be found on lower units of various I/O manufacturers. The rubber surface further aids in developing a seal at the edge of the oil inlet hole 74.

Alternatively, the oil delivery system includes a threaded delivery tip 67 that is threaded into the oil inlet/outlet hole 74 providing a secure connection.

The valve 70 is a conventional valve. As depicted in FIG. 5, it includes a handle 78 attached at a pivot 82 on valve body 82. A stem 84 is attached to the handle 78 at one end and is attached at the other end to a valving mechanism (not shown). The valving mechanism is a conventional valve mechanism. When the handle 78 is depressed in the general direction of arrow 86, the valve opens to permit oil to flow through the valve and through the tip 68 into the lower unit 76.

The pump system 10 further includes a relief valve 90 positioned at an upper end of the container 12. The relief valve is a conventional relief valve and is used to relieve the pressure within the container 12.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for delivering a lubricating oil in a lower unit of an I/O drive, through a hole in a housing of the lower unit, the apparatus comprising: an oil container having a neck portion and a main body, the main body defined by a main body wall for containing the lubricating oil, the main body wall being sufficiently thick to withstand pressure of up to 30 pounds per square inch; a pumping mechanism attached to the oil container, the pumping mechanism comprising a pumping component comprising a plunger housing and an air moving plunger movable within the plunger housing, and an outer sleeve positioned within the container wherein the plunger housing is positioned within the outer sleeve, the plunger housing having an air valve disposed at a distal end thereof for expelling air into the outer sleeve, the air being moved by the plunger, and wherein the outer sleeve includes at least one air hole positioned above an oil level in the container such that when the air is expelled through the air valve, the air enters the container above the oil level; and an oil delivery mechanism comprising a flexible hose attached to an outlet of the container, the outlet positioned proximate a bottom of the container and a hand operable nozzle attached to the hose at another end, the nozzle comprising a frusto-conical tip for engaging the hole of the lower unit housing.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pumping mechanism further comprises a collar that engages the neck portion of the oil container sufficiently to provide an air seal within the oil container sufficient to withstand at least the 30 pounds per square inch of pressure.
 3. The apparatus of claim I wherein the said oil container further comprises a safety relief valve positioned at a top portion of said main body.
 4. The apparatus of claim I wherein the valve is a flapper valve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plunger includes a plurality of air compartments, the air compartments for moving air through the air plunger and then through the air valve.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outer sleeve is threadably attached to the collar.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including a handle fixedly attached to the plunger for use in carrying the apparatus and for moving the plunger within the plunger housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 and further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the handle and the plunger with respect to the container.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the locking mechanism includes a pair of spaced part stanchions, each stanchion having a slot, and a rotatable plate attached to the handle, the rotatable plate being wider in one direction such that when the plate is rotated by rotating the handle, the plate engages the slots of the stanchion thereby locking the handle on the plunger. 